THE SEVEN FOLLIES OF 

 SCIENCE 



HE difficult, the dangerous, and the impossible have 

 always had a strange fascination for the human 

 mind. We see this every day in the acts of boys 

 who risk life and limb in the performance of 

 useless but dangerous feats, and amongst children of larger 

 growth we find loop-the-loopers, bridge-jumpers, and all 

 sorts of venture-seekers to whom much of the attraction 

 of these performances is undoubtedly the mere risk that is 

 involved, although, perhaps, to some extent, notoriety and 

 money-making may contribute their share. Many of our 

 readers will doubtless remember the words of James Fitz- 

 James, in " The Lady of the Lake " : 



Or, if a path be dangerous known 

 The danger's self is lure alone. 



And in commenting on the old-time game laws of England, 

 Froude, the historian, says : " Although the old forest 

 laws were terrible, they served only to enhance the excite- 

 ment by danger." 



That which is true of physical dangers holds equally true 

 in regard to intellectual difficulties. Professor De Mor- 

 gan tells us, in his "Budget of Paradoxes," that he once 

 gave a lecture on " Squaring the Circle " and that a 

 gentleman who was introduced to it by what he said, re- 

 marked loud enough to be heard by all around : " Only 



